Valeria “Val” Menne, age 95, of the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne for sixty-seven years, passed peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2017.

She was born in Wyandotte, Michigan to Stanley and Rose Hojnowski. Val thoroughly enjoyed her childhood and would recall with a sly grin how her father was a bootlegger during the prohibition years! Val excelled in school and was proud to have been accepted into medical school, only to be told by her father that this wasn't a profession for girls. This in turn inspired Val to enlist in the US Army where she joined the Nurse’s Corps as an RN. While stationed in Regensburg, Germany, Val met the man who was to become her husband, Lt. Robert J. Menne, Bob was on a hospital floor after hours and Val’s first words ever to him were “What do you want?” Robert fell in love at first sight and after some persistence and patience on Bob’s part they began dating. After their first date, Bob professed "I'm going to marry you." and then he went out and purchased a pewter mug and plate set on which he had engraved "all my love". Val would chuckle that after this very romantic gesture, on their next date, he took her to the Nuremburg Trials.. He even named his Army jeep, Valeria. Bob was clearly smitten and Val allowed him to be smitten. Both were discharged in the spring and were married on October 5, 1946 at Mount Carmel Church in Wyandotte, Michigan and honeymooned in Puerto Rico and Florida. They had a classic marriage were proud to uphold traditional family values. They maintained a loving home for their children and always accepted less for themselves in order to give their children all they could.

After her military service Val worked in a Detroit, Michigan hospital and transitioned to a stay at home mom when her first daughter was born. Bob was working for the Ford Motor Company in 1950 when he was transferred to New York and they moved to the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne.

While in Wayne they were members of Holy Cross Church which is the mother Catholic Church in the township. Val and Bob were soon members of a group petitioning the church for a new location in the Packanack Lake section of the township and helped found the Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church. Val was dedicated to her Catholic faith and a devoted founding member of Immaculate Heart of Mary. She was active with all types of organizations within the church, and most recently was a member of the church’s Lazarus Society and prayer group. She maintained her interest in nursing, often taking refresher courses and becoming a member of the Saint Joseph’s Paterson Hospital’s Auxiliary. When her two youngest children entered their high school years she re-entered the work force at the age of 55 as a Registered Nurse for Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home in Montclair. She loved nursing, but as time went on she became frustrated by all the time spent on computers and paperwork rather than time with the patients. She formally retired in 1999 from Saint Vincent’s.

Val was the loving wife of fifty-three years to the late Robert J. Menne (1999); devoted mother of the late Susan Menne (2002), Marie Menne of New York City, and Christopher Menne of Boulder, Colorado; cherished grandmother of Ted Heron and Eve Menne-Edwards; she was the loved sister of Robert Hojnowski, and the late Jerome Hojnowski, Rose Prygoski, Veronica Patalan, and Adeline Renkiewicz. She also deeply loved her nieces and nephews very much and often lamented not living closer to them. Val had an amazing circle of friends and they meant the world to her. She would say, "I am so blessed."

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 3-7 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.

Funeral services will be held 9:30 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2017 from the funeral home then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 580 Ratzer Road, Wayne where a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass will be offered.

Guest Book

2/11/2017

What a great woman and role model. I was fortunate to have her as an aunt (albeit through marriage). We often referred to her as a "gutsy" - to enlist in the army during the war! Didn't see her often but enjoyed our frequent conversations.
She certainly was the matriarch of the family and will be deeply missed.

Dolores Gulyas Rinke

2/12/2017

A woman of God went home . She loved the LORD and was not only an encourager but a true prayer warrior. Aunt Val was with us through our ups and downs throughout the last 47 years of our married life especially when Fred , a policeman ,while on duty was shot 4 times in 1984 .
She always provided comfort and uplifted us through the many health issues he has battled over the years. Her JOY and our mutual faith in Christ has kept us connected. We shall Miss her but KNOW she is rejoicing in our Savior's arms. Love her eternally ! Looking forward to seeing her again one day. Fred and Pam

Fred and Pam Young

2/12/2017

Our love and sympathy in the passing of your mom Val. Our prayers are with your family from the Monsaert family, formerly of Beechwood Drive. Val was one of the last families from the 1950s f on our block. She will be missed.

Patricia Monsaert Westall

2/13/2017

I was delighted by Mrs. Menne's dry wit and impressed to have known a woman who was so clearly ahead of her time. Her life was an example of the philosophy that if you want to accomplish something, just make it happen. Condolences to all of Mrs. Menne's family -- but most especially to her daughter Marie who, for years, provided the daily support and love that her mother needed to carry on and continue to live at home in her later years. May she rest in peace.

Steph Mueller

2/15/2017

Dear Marie, Chris, Ted and Eve,
I am so sorry and saddened by the loss of your mom and grandmother. I just loved Val, she was an amazing lady in so many ways. I feel blessed to have known her and will miss her very much.
Love, Dorene Edie

Dorene Edie

2/15/2017

We were blessed to have Valery as our neighbor. Amazing woman! Always on her feet, active and energized role model for any human being. She will be remembered. Our condolences to the family, especially her carrying daughter and our dear friend Marie. With love, Michael and Marianna

Marianna & Michael Balagyozyan

2/15/2017

Dear Marie, we're sorry to hear of mom's passing. She was the nicest lady. She was there for us during Judy's illness and I'll never forget her. love, Beth and family

Beth Corcoran Curcio

2/17/2017

Dear Chris and Marie, we're so very sorry to hear of your Mom,s passing. Our Mother,s had been friends for many many years she was very sad to hear about Val. The Boback family would like to pass our condolences to all of you. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Love Huguette,Michelle,Andrea,David and Thomas.

Michelle Boback Wojtukiewicz

2/20/2017

to lose your mom is lose a very close and loyal friend who has known and loved you your entire life.My deepest condolences to you. Words cannot express how sorry I am to hear about your moms loss,Valeria "Val" Menne. I pray that God will grant you the strength. God rest her soul in peace

Emmanuel Moscoso

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Valeria "Val"Menne

2/10/2017

Guest Book

2/11/2017

What a great woman and role model. I was fortunate to have her as an aunt (albeit through marriage). We often referred to her as a "gutsy" - to enlist in the army during the war! Didn't see her often but enjoyed our frequent conversations.
She certainly was the matriarch of the family and will be deeply missed.

Dolores Gulyas Rinke

2/12/2017

A woman of God went home . She loved the LORD and was not only an encourager but a true prayer warrior. Aunt Val was with us through our ups and downs throughout the last 47 years of our married life especially when Fred , a policeman ,while on duty was shot 4 times in 1984 .
She always provided comfort and uplifted us through the many health issues he has battled over the years. Her JOY and our mutual faith in Christ has kept us connected. We shall Miss her but KNOW she is rejoicing in our Savior's arms. Love her eternally ! Looking forward to seeing her again one day. Fred and Pam

Fred and Pam Young

2/12/2017

Our love and sympathy in the passing of your mom Val. Our prayers are with your family from the Monsaert family, formerly of Beechwood Drive. Val was one of the last families from the 1950s f on our block. She will be missed.

Patricia Monsaert Westall

2/13/2017

I was delighted by Mrs. Menne's dry wit and impressed to have known a woman who was so clearly ahead of her time. Her life was an example of the philosophy that if you want to accomplish something, just make it happen. Condolences to all of Mrs. Menne's family -- but most especially to her daughter Marie who, for years, provided the daily support and love that her mother needed to carry on and continue to live at home in her later years. May she rest in peace.

Steph Mueller

2/15/2017

Dear Marie, Chris, Ted and Eve,
I am so sorry and saddened by the loss of your mom and grandmother. I just loved Val, she was an amazing lady in so many ways. I feel blessed to have known her and will miss her very much.
Love, Dorene Edie

Dorene Edie

2/15/2017

We were blessed to have Valery as our neighbor. Amazing woman! Always on her feet, active and energized role model for any human being. She will be remembered. Our condolences to the family, especially her carrying daughter and our dear friend Marie. With love, Michael and Marianna

Marianna & Michael Balagyozyan

2/15/2017

Dear Marie, we're sorry to hear of mom's passing. She was the nicest lady. She was there for us during Judy's illness and I'll never forget her. love, Beth and family

Beth Corcoran Curcio

2/17/2017

Dear Chris and Marie, we're so very sorry to hear of your Mom,s passing. Our Mother,s had been friends for many many years she was very sad to hear about Val. The Boback family would like to pass our condolences to all of you. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Love Huguette,Michelle,Andrea,David and Thomas.

Michelle Boback Wojtukiewicz

2/20/2017

to lose your mom is lose a very close and loyal friend who has known and loved you your entire life.My deepest condolences to you. Words cannot express how sorry I am to hear about your moms loss,Valeria "Val" Menne. I pray that God will grant you the strength. God rest her soul in peace

Emmanuel Moscoso

Valeria "Val"Menne

2/10/2017

Valeria “Val” Menne, age 95, of the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne for sixty-seven years, passed peacefully on Friday, February 10, 2017.

She was born in Wyandotte, Michigan to Stanley and Rose Hojnowski. Val thoroughly enjoyed her childhood and would recall with a sly grin how her father was a bootlegger during the prohibition years! Val excelled in school and was proud to have been accepted into medical school, only to be told by her father that this wasn't a profession for girls. This in turn inspired Val to enlist in the US Army where she joined the Nurse’s Corps as an RN. While stationed in Regensburg, Germany, Val met the man who was to become her husband, Lt. Robert J. Menne, Bob was on a hospital floor after hours and Val’s first words ever to him were “What do you want?” Robert fell in love at first sight and after some persistence and patience on Bob’s part they began dating. After their first date, Bob professed "I'm going to marry you." and then he went out and purchased a pewter mug and plate set on which he had engraved "all my love". Val would chuckle that after this very romantic gesture, on their next date, he took her to the Nuremburg Trials.. He even named his Army jeep, Valeria. Bob was clearly smitten and Val allowed him to be smitten. Both were discharged in the spring and were married on October 5, 1946 at Mount Carmel Church in Wyandotte, Michigan and honeymooned in Puerto Rico and Florida. They had a classic marriage were proud to uphold traditional family values. They maintained a loving home for their children and always accepted less for themselves in order to give their children all they could.

After her military service Val worked in a Detroit, Michigan hospital and transitioned to a stay at home mom when her first daughter was born. Bob was working for the Ford Motor Company in 1950 when he was transferred to New York and they moved to the Packanack Lake Section of Wayne.

While in Wayne they were members of Holy Cross Church which is the mother Catholic Church in the township. Val and Bob were soon members of a group petitioning the church for a new location in the Packanack Lake section of the township and helped found the Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church. Val was dedicated to her Catholic faith and a devoted founding member of Immaculate Heart of Mary. She was active with all types of organizations within the church, and most recently was a member of the church’s Lazarus Society and prayer group. She maintained her interest in nursing, often taking refresher courses and becoming a member of the Saint Joseph’s Paterson Hospital’s Auxiliary. When her two youngest children entered their high school years she re-entered the work force at the age of 55 as a Registered Nurse for Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home in Montclair. She loved nursing, but as time went on she became frustrated by all the time spent on computers and paperwork rather than time with the patients. She formally retired in 1999 from Saint Vincent’s.

Val was the loving wife of fifty-three years to the late Robert J. Menne (1999); devoted mother of the late Susan Menne (2002), Marie Menne of New York City, and Christopher Menne of Boulder, Colorado; cherished grandmother of Ted Heron and Eve Menne-Edwards; she was the loved sister of Robert Hojnowski, and the late Jerome Hojnowski, Rose Prygoski, Veronica Patalan, and Adeline Renkiewicz. She also deeply loved her nieces and nephews very much and often lamented not living closer to them. Val had an amazing circle of friends and they meant the world to her. She would say, "I am so blessed."

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 from 3-7 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.

Funeral services will be held 9:30 AM on Thursday, February 16, 2017 from the funeral home then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 580 Ratzer Road, Wayne where a 10:30 AM Funeral Mass will be offered.